Canada Pork campaign aims to reduce exports by promoting quality and providing food safety assurances
OTTAWA — One-third of all pork consumed in Canada is imported and the industry has created a program to encourage Canadians to eat domestic pork. Canadian farmers produce two million tonnes of pork a year, of which 1.15 million tonnes were exported in 2014. Another 193,400 tonnes were imported, mostly from the United States. “Canada […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Canada asks WTO for $3B in retaliatory COOL tariffs
Canada has applied to the world trade organization for $3 billion worth of retaliatory tariffs against the United States mandatory country of origin law. The Canadian government wants the U.S. to repeal the law applying to exported cattle and hogs said a government news release June 4. The option is facing major tariffs against imported […] Read more
Pilot projects seek to define sustainability framework for beef
MERRITT, B.C. — Living next to an elephant influences every action on Cherie Copithorne-Barnes’ ranch west of Calgary. “Living 20 miles from a million people and the Trans-Canada going by to the tune of 100,000 cars on the weekend, I am under the magnifying glass all the time. It doesn’t matter if it is animals […] Read more
Old guard must adjust to changes in cattle sector
Improving animal welfare, sustainability essential
MERRITT, B.C. — Social, economic and environmental responsibilities are all necessary to support the goals of sustainability. Many farmers and ranchers can hold up the environmental pillar, but they face social and economic challenges. Global cattle numbers are declining nearly as fast as the number of people raising them. Not only are there fewer farmers, […] Read moreRetailers cater to demand for local, sustainable, safe food
The world of food revolves around what customers want. A demand for locally sourced food that is produced sustainably and has less packaging has forced retailers to change how they do business, said Paul Uys, formerly with Loblaws and now part of the University of Guelph’s Food Institute. Suppliers are feeling more pressure from retailers, […] Read more
RCMP contest to name horses
Children across Canada are invited to come up with names for the newest crop of Royal Canadian Mounted Police horses. Six names are needed for foals born this spring at the RCMP horse breeding farm at Pakenham, Ont. Name the foal is an annual contest where instructors of the RCMP Musical Ride Branch choose the […] Read more
Livestock losses to wolves rising in B.C.
MERRITT, B.C. — Wolves are taking a bite out of British Columbia livestock. The B.C. Cattlemen’s Association’s 2014 cattle loss survey reported 553 confirmed kills by wolves and another 249 losses by other predators. “B.C. is home to a great abundance and diversity of wildlife. Too much of a good thing can be a problem […] Read more
Aboriginal land claims threaten grazing leases
B.C. cattle producers worry the pending settlements could decrease their land value
MERRITT, B.C. — Some British Columbia ranchers are learning that their grazing agreements could change as more aboriginal land claim settlements are completed. Roger Patenaude, a rancher from 150 Mile House, has learned that one-third of his grazing tenure is under claim, although the final agreement could take years to settle. In the meantime, he […] Read moreCanada pressures U.S. to repeal COOL legislation
A Canadian agriculture contingent is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., June 1-2 to press the case for repeal of U.S. country-of-origin labelling legislation. The World Trade Organization issued a fourth ruling May 18 confirming COOL discriminates against Canadian cattle and hogs. As a result, Canada and Mexico will soon be in a position to impose […] Read more
Meat council calls for unified inspection, safety rules
OTTAWA — The Canadian Meat Council wants an end to the two tiered meat inspection system. “We believe that the best option for reducing interprovincial barriers and promoting trade of meat products in both Canada and export markets would be to terminate the existence of a two tiered system of food safety regulations and inspection […] Read more
